Sequence and Series Exam Questions - Answers

1. The first four terms of an arithmetic sequence are 2, a – b, 2a +b + 7, and a – 3b, where a and b
are constants. Find a and b.

(Total 6 marks)
(2a + b + 7) – (a – b) = (a – b) – 2 (M1)(M1)
(a – 3b) – (2a + b + 7) = (2a + b + 7) – (a – b) (M1)
0 = 2a + 6b + 14 (A1)
b = –3(A1) (C3)
a = 2 (A1) (C3)
[6]

2. The sum to infinity of a geometric series is 32. The sum of the first four terms is 30 and all the
terms are positive.
Find the difference between the sum to infinity and the sum of the first eight terms.
(Total 6 marks)
and (M1)
/ /
M1
/

/
 r = 0.5 and a = 16 A1A1
M1
/
Note: Allow FT on incorrect a / r.
A1 N2
/
[6]

1
1a. [3 marks]

Phil takes out a bank loan of $150 000 to buy a house, at an annual interest rate of 3.5%. The interest is
calculated at the end of each year and added to the amount outstanding.

Find the amount Phil would owe the bank after 20 years. Give your answer to the nearest dollar.

Markscheme

(M1)(A1)

A1

Note: Only accept answers to the nearest dollar. Accept $298469.

[3 marks]

1b. [3 marks]

To pay off the loan, Phil makes annual deposits of $P at the end of every year in a savings account, paying
an annual interest rate of 2% . He makes his first deposit at the end of the first year after taking out the loan.

Show that the total value of Phil’s savings after 20 years is .

Markscheme

attempt to look for a pattern by considering 1 year, 2 years etc (M1)

recognising a geometric series with first term and common ratio 1.02 (M1)

EITHER

A1

OR

explicitly identify and (may be seen as ). A1

THEN

AG

[3 marks]

1c. [3 marks]

Given that Phil’s aim is to own the house after 20 years, find the value for to the nearest dollar.

Markscheme

(M1)(A1)

2
 A1

Note: Accept answers which round to 12284.

[3 marks]

1d. [3 marks]

David visits a different bank and makes a single deposit of $Q , the annual interest rate being 2.8%.

David wishes to withdraw $5000 at the end of each year for a period of n years. Show that an expression for
the minimum value of Q is

Markscheme

METHOD 1

M1A1

A1

AG

METHOD 2

the initial value of the first withdrawal is A1

the initial value of the second withdrawal is R1

the investment required for these two withdrawals is R1

AG

[3 Marks]

1e. [3 marks]

Hence or otherwise, find the minimum value of that would permit David to withdraw annual amounts of
$5000 indefinitely. Give your answer to the nearest dollar.

Markscheme

sum to infinity is (M1)(A1)

3
so minimum amount is $178572 A1

Note: Accept answers which round to 178572.

[3 Marks]